More Fun with Vintage Crepe Paper Garland

I wanted to add to my post from Wednesday on how to make your own Vintage Gathered Crepe Paper Garland. 

Today I've got several examples on how you can kick this garland up a notch or two.

Hand Tinting

Of course you can use other colors of crepe paper but sometimes the modern colors are a bit too bright or vivid to achieve that vintage feel.  To counter that I like to tint it myself.  By doing so you have control over how light or bright the finished color is.

For this example I used a drop of Spun Sugar Distress Ink diluted in a Mini Mister.  You can see that the crepe paper also picked up a bit of Vintage Photo ink that was on my non-stick craft mat.  I was a bit upset when I first noticed it but after looking at it for a bit I decided that it really added to the vintage feel so now I like it.  

Tinted Edges

If you want just a bit of color I like to squirt a bit of Color Wash (or other inks) on my craft mat; add a squirt of water to dilute it a bit then dip only the edges of the garland into the ink.  The inks wick up the crepe paper at varying rates so it makes for an awesome finished look.

German Glass Glitter Garland

O.k...you all know how much I love sparkle and glitter and it is a perfect accent to this garland!  Now you could use Stickles Glitter Glue but you'd have to be dedicated to add a tiny line of it to the length of the garland...I for one am not...I like to find easy ways to make things look great.  So I simply dip the edges in a white glue then dip it into the Glass Glitter.  Once it's dry you're set to go :) 

I think it really looks spectacular when it's finished!

Stamped Crepe Paper

A great way to transform plain garland into perfection is to stamp it to match your project.  It is very easy to do so, simply stamp your desired image(s) repeatedly before you sew.  You end up with a way cool look that is unique each and every time!

I used two of my favorite stamps...script & leafy vine (both from JFF Stamps) paired with Archival Inks (in case I want to tint it later).

Center Stitched Crepe Paper Garland

And finally I wanted to show you a bit of garland that I stitched down the center. 

You could use it folded over for a nice double ruffle look....

or you could use it flat with a piece of ribbon covering the stitch line....

No matter how you choose to use this garland I guarantee it will add an extra layer of goodness to your finished project!

NOW, would you like to win a bit of this garland goodness yourself?

Simply leave a comment telling us how/where you would use this garland and you'll be entered to win a variety of Gathered Crepe Paper Garland for your very own! 

You have until 2-6-11 to post to be entered to win.

Good Luck Friends!!!